Some dental professionals believe that baking soda toothpaste is abrasive. This is empirically false, and, as a matter of fact, just the opposite is true. Baking soda toothpaste has some of the lowest abrasivity among commercially available toothpastes.
Brushing once a day with baking soda or on occasion will not damage the teeth. However, brushing too hard or too often with it can lead to damaged tooth enamel. Some people also mix the baking soda with lemon juice, strawberries or other ingredients to clean the teeth.
Tooth Whitening
Baking soda will wear down the enamel of your teeth if used too often. It can damage or remove the enamel layer altogether, leaving your teeth vulnerable to decay.
Baking soda toothpaste is a safe and effective way to clean and whiten teeth. However, brushing with baking soda alone is not approved by the ADA because baking soda lacks fluoride, an essential cavity-fighting ingredient. An alternative is to purchase a commercial toothpaste that includes baking soda and fluoride.
Baking soda will generally need to be used correctly in order to protect the teeth's enamel from damages. The soda should ideally not be used too frequently since it can damage the enamel as a result of frequent use. It should generally only be used about once per a week and for two minutes at a time.
Pro: Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can remove surface stains and yellowing. It has a lower hardness than other abrasive materials used to whiten teeth. Con: It can still wear away your enamel and damage your teeth and gums with improper use.
Baking soda is a much less abrasive way to remove plaque (remember, our toothpastes remove up to 5X more plaque in hard to reach places!) than brushing with non-baking soda toothpastes — for a safer way to prevent enamel damage.
Can I mix baking soda with my toothpaste? Yes, you can, and you should. It is far better since you benefit from fluoride and cleansing agents in the toothpaste and the benefits of baking soda. It is also more palatable.
A DIY baking soda toothpaste: Add this into your care routine while still using a fluoride toothpaste as your primary product. An easy recipe is one tablespoon of water and one tablespoon of baking soda, mixed into a paste and gently applied to every area in the mouth.
Anything with deep grooves or cracks. Baking soda leaves behind a white, dusty residue after it dries. Therefore, you should never use it to clean surfaces with deep grooves or cracks because the residue will get left behind and can build up.
In fact, exposing teeth to salt or baking soda could erode the tooth's surface enamel over time. Enamel is like the finished surface of a floor: It's a thin, hard outer layer that protects each tooth.
Prevents gum disease: Brushing with baking soda discourages the formation of plaque. This substance on your teeth can build up if not cleaned properly and cause gingivitis. Using baking soda or a toothpaste that contains baking soda can save you from having swollen, sore, and bleeding gums.
Baking soda works in the same way as these ancient abrasives, but it's a bit gentler on your teeth and gums. When compared to modern toothpaste, baking soda is significantly less abrasive. While that may seem like a negative, using a less abrasive product can protect the tooth enamel and gum tissue from being damaged.
Finding grit in your mouth is a common sign of tooth damage from bruxism. As you are clenching and grinding your teeth, you are breaking off small pieces of enamel, which is a natural glass. It feels like sand in your mouth.
Baking Soda: As long as you are careful to brush gently, baking soda can eliminate stains from the surface of your teeth without damaging them. Whitening Strips: Whitening strips mold to the shape of your teeth to whiten them. Whitening strips are both safe and effective.
Baking soda is good for teeth whitening because it is a very mild abrasive, which helps remove stains from the surface of your teeth. In addition, baking soda is alkaline and salty, which helps lighten acid-based food stains – such as those from coffee, tea, and red wine – on teeth.
A mixture of equal parts lemon juice and water will help restore whiteness to your teeth and completely disinfect your oral cavity. To test this out mix one teaspoon of water with one teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Brush your teeth thoroughly with the combined liquids, and then rinse it out.
Brushing with baking soda can safely and effectively remove plaque. While still abrasive, baking soda toothpaste is not as hard as the enamel that makes up teeth and can remove plaque without damaging the enamel.
The RDA value (radioactive dentin abrasion) of baking soda is only 7, whereas toothpastes range from 30 to 200 in RDA, which counters these falsifications against baking soda and its abrasive properties.
Oral health problems, including gum disease, result from bacteria buildup on your teeth and gums. Baking soda has antibacterial properties, so it can reduce the occurrence or accumulation of bacteria in your mouth that may cause decay or periodontal disease.
Baking soda can prevent and treat tartar buildup on your teeth. Also called sodium bicarbonate, it helps by softening tartar. It also balances the acids in your mouth that create plaque and stop it from turning into tartar. As it is mildly abrasive, it's an effective option to scrub away stains and whiten your teeth.
A reduced acidity level also makes it easier for fluoride toothpaste to remineralize and rebuild the enamel. So if you think your teeth need a quick remineralization, all you need to do is mix one tablespoon of baking soda with four ounces of water and swish it around your mouth once daily.
Try non-acidic foods: Certain foods are good for your enamel. Many types of fruits and vegetables, dairy products such as milk, and foods or drinks containing fluoride – notably spinach, grapes and black tea – will be useful to naturally restore enamel.